Within the first edition of the Mediterranean Forum, alternative spaces emerged for discussion and reflection. The president of the Valencian Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, led one such session alongside leaders from the Valencian innovation ecosystem.
Guided by Bebartlet, the head of the regional government offered brief insights into the year-one roadmap implemented since taking office. He highlighted priorities including tax reductions, measures to make the region attractive to investors, the removal of ideological green taxes in favor of practical, timely sustainability, and the simplification of administrative procedures. He also underscored the structural reforms in education, with special emphasis on Vocational Training, where the upcoming term would allow internships from the first year.
It was in this last area that business leaders contributed significant perspectives aimed at creating value. The attraction and retention of talent emerged as a shared concern, noted as a misalignment between formal university training and the demand for professional profiles.
Carlos Mazón highlighted key bets such as tax relief, attracting investment, eliminating ideological green taxes in favor of real-world sustainability, and streamlining administrative processes.
In this context, Daniel Dancausa, director of Lanzadera projects, explained how young people entering companies already bring experience from various roles during their studies, as seen in Edem, versus those who finish a degree lacking those essential job-ready skills. For example, José Miguel Ferrer, president of Starkraft, described current difficulties in filling certain technical roles on ongoing projects. In response, Mazón outlined a new Dual Vocational Training model and the Campus Battery initiative, tied to the development of Power Co in Sagunto.
Modernizing university structures
Facing the current public university model, a modernization of the social councils was proposed to align the training offer with the present demand for professional profiles.
Fostering a climate of confidence
For investors and entrepreneurs alike, the region with Valencia Community’s attractions also needed regulatory stability.
A new energy model
Large investments are linked to a new energy framework developing in the Valencian Community, with electric cars in Sagunto and green hydrogen in Castellón as focal points. The ultimate goal is energy sovereignty.
A new climate and future discourse
Innovation is framed as a path to a new model for tackling problems. From Trivu, there was a call for a forward-looking, talent-attracting discourse rather than old-fashioned victimhood. A proactive narrative was defended, focused on attracting talent.
In this vein, the financial director of the multinational in Spain, Javier Rivera, tied this need to sustainability and the decarbonization process in the Valencian Community. Consistent with the president’s view, Riera urged a stronger push for the electric car’s adoption in Spain. The exchange of ideas also included representatives from the Confederation of Valencian Young Entrepreneurs, Brainux, UPV, Trivu, Hidraqua, Grupo Gimeno, and CaixaBank.
Lastly, discussions on sustainable tourism planning were addressed as a sector that requires innovation to remain a driver of economic and social life. Water emerged as a transversal issue supported by technical arguments rather than a competitive lever.